Beaumont slams century as England crush South Africa in WODI; sweep series

Jul 19, 2022

Beaumont slams century as England crush South Africa in WODI; sweep series Image

Tammy Beaumont, a top-order batswoman for England, scored her eleventh one-day international century to lead the hosts to yet another triumph and a 3-0 series victory over South Africa. 

The veteran opener, 31, didn't take lightly to being left out of England's Commonwealth Games selection as she blasted a superb 119 off 107 balls to lead her side to a 109-run triumph against the Proteas on Monday. She is just three ODIs away from reaching a century. 

In sweltering circumstances at Grace Road, Beaumont and fellow opener Emma Lamb (65), who contributed 65 runs, put on 149 for the first wicket. Beaumont then lifted her game when Sophia Dunkley (51) joined her at the crease.

By the time Beaumont was out, the hosts were well on their way to putting together a massive 371/7 from their stipulated 50 overs. 

The opening pair of Laura Wolvaardt and Andrie Steyn offered a glimpse of optimism when they put on 60 in the first eight overs of the run chase, giving the visitors the quick start they needed to have any chance of knocking down England's massive score. 

While approaching her 29th ODI half-century, Wolvaardt in especially punished any loose balls. However, the outstanding 23-year-old once again was unable to continue, falling to Charlie Dean for 56.

Chloe Tryon scored 70 and Marizanne Kapp contributed 62 as two other South African batsmen went over the fifty-run mark, but South Africa ultimately found the needed run rate too steep and were bowled out for just 262 in response in the 46th over. 

During South Africa's run chase, England's slow bowlers played a crucial role. Dean (3/42) and Lamb (3/42) combined for six wickets in a superb team performance. With her own three-wicket haul, inexperienced bowler Alice Davidson-Richards (3/35) joined the fray as many of South Africa's top batsmen were unable to turn promising starts into significant totals.

n the end this proved the difference in the series, with England's batters a class above and scoring a century in each match to ensure a comprehensive 3-0 series sweep.

Brief scores: England Women 371/7 in 50 overs (Emma Lamb 65, Tammy Beaumont 119, Sophia Dunkley 51, Heather Knight 63, Danni Wyatt 33) beat South Africa 262 in 45.4 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 56, Marizanne Kapp 62, Chloe Tryon 70; Charlie Dean 3/42, Emma Lamb 3/42, Alice Davidson-Richards 3/35) by 109 runs.